On 11 Dec 2006 16:24:44 -0800, wrote:


The alternative, I suppose, would be to launch both P-5 and S-5 on the
same mission, and use the other mission to launch the larger MPLM. But
this way, NASA gets to send some supplies up a little at a time,
instead of waiting for the one MPLM flight. They also spread out the
spacewalks by sending up P-5 and S-5 on separate missions.


There is also nowhere to put the S-5 truss section since the S-3/4
truss segment has not yet been brought up and integrated with the
station as the P-3/4 has.

True, but you wouldn't necessarily have to follow the existing
schedule. This flight could have taken up S-3/S-4, the next flight an
MPLM and what-not, and the flight after that P-5 and S-5.

Just musing.

Brian